333. The Power of Right Now

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There are three things that we can start doing that will take our faith from theory to practice every single day.  All we need to do is:

1.     Encourage right now

2.    Connect right now

3.    Pray right now

Find out how in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast!

 

How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast.  If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner

 

The Power of Right Now

Introduction

·      Have you ever listened to someone’s story and then said, “I’ll pray for you.”  After saying that you quickly forgot about it and never prayed for the person.

·      Have you ever had a person pop up in your head and you thought, I wonder how they are doing?  I bet that person could use a call.  After that thought you quickly moved on and never followed up.

·      Have you ever felt the impulse to reach out and share with someone and then backed off because you were:

Ø Too busy

Ø Too tired

Ø Afraid of their reaction

Instead of acting on that impulse, you let the Spirit’s prompting pass away.

If you can remember at least one time that happened to you, you understand the importance of living out your faith, “Right Now.”  That’s why I want to talk to you tonight about the power of “right now.”  There are three things that we can start doing that will take our faith from theory to practice every single day.  All we need to do is:

1.     Encourage right now

2.    Connect right now

3.    Pray right now

 

1.    Encourage Right Now

Paul talks about the power of right now in Ephesians 5:15-20.  “¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul tells us to be very careful how we live.  Why, because the days are evil.  That’s why we need to realize the power of right now and make the most of every opportunity. 

Ø Right now people are struggling with temptation

Ø Right now disciples are targeted by Satan

Ø Right now friends you know are dealing with health issues

Ø Right now Christians are considering leaving God and his church

Ø Right now people you thought were solid are feeling shaky

How can you help? 

§  Encourage people right now

§  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit

§  Share scriptures that encourage you

§  Praise people

§  Thank people

§  Lift people up

§  Share positively about people who aren’t here right now

o  I really appreciate Stuart.  His work in Boston has inspired me and is one of the reasons Pam and I wanted to move here.  He is an extremely encouraging person.

Often times we know these things and we have positive thoughts about others, but we don’t take advantage of the power of now to encourage others.  Let’s make the most of this opportunity by turning to the person next to you and encourage them with:

§  Positive words

§  Gratitude

§  A scripture

§  Praise

 

2.   Connect Right Now

Let’s read Colossians 4:5, ^“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”  Paul says we need to be wise in how we deal with those aren’t following Jesus.  We need to make the most of every opportunity.  God gives us opportunities every day to help those around us.  If we want to see God work in our life, we need to connect every day.

On my first Sunday, I was sitting in front of a couple that I could tell were visiting.  I introduced myself and they shared they were here for the first time.  A few minutes later I saw someone else talking to them and being kind to them.  That brother understood the power of right now.  At the end of the service, I looked back and they were gone, but I know that brother had exchanged information with them.  He had made the most of every opportunity. 

God gives us opportunities to love and serve those around us every day.  We just need to be aware and ready to make the most of every opportunity.

Ø When we are at work

Ø When we are in an elevator

Ø When we are checking out of the store

When I arrived, the first thing I did was ask Stuart for some invitation cards to connect when God gave me an opportunity.  It’s been so much fun to connect and see the power of now:

Ø My movers

Ø Dunkin Donuts

Ø Roche Brothers

I think one of the easiest ways aside from reaching out at church on Sunday is simply texting your friends and letting them know what you are doing.  It’s soft, it’s gentle, it’s loving and if they’re aren’t interested they can ignore you.  However, a simple text can change a person’s life.  Let’s take advantage of the power of now.  Pull out your phone and text a friend or coworker.  Just text them something loving like:  “Just thinking about you.  Hope you are doing well.”  If you want to go an extra step, you can add, “I’d love for you to join me this Sunday at church”

3.   Pray Right Now

How else can we make the most of right now?  We can pray for each other in the moment.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “I’ll pray for you” and then forgot to do it.  But then I found a way to avoid that.  When someone shares something serious, heavy, or worthy of prayer, I use that as a trigger to pray right then and there.  Prayer makes a difference, but if you never follow through, you missed the power of right now.  Look at how James describes how powerful prayer really is: 

“¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

James writes that if we or someone we know is going through something, anything-our first response should be to pray.  Why?  Prayer is powerful and effective.  Prayer moves God.  God can do anything.  He then launches into a story about Elijah, who he says was a normal person just like us.  His prayers changed weather patterns. 

Would you like to save someone from death, bring wanderers back, return people to the truth and cover over a multitude of sins?  It all starts with praying.  Praying right now. 

Let’s pray right now by asking the person next to us, “What can I pray for you about?”  After listening, hold hands and pray for that person.  After that let the other person ask, “What can I pray for you about.”  After the person shares a need, put your hands on his or her shoulder or hold hands and say a prayer for them.  Pray right now.

Conclusion

Can you imagine how your life would fill up with joy and power if you started making the most of every opportunity?  What if on a daily basis you began to:

1.     Encourage right now

2.    Connect right now

3.    Pray right now

I believe you would begin to draw closer to God and people and you would be begin to see miracles happen.  That’s the power of “Right Now.”

 

 

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